Ranking Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 5 biggest needs in 2025 offseason feat. cornerback

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a home playoff game to a rookie quarterback on Sunday. The Buccaneers now have to take a deep look at their roster as some issues were apparent all season long. However, it took until the end for others to become clear. Here's a look at the five biggest needs for Tampa Bay in the offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 5 biggest needs in 2025

#5 - Edge rusher

Shaquil Barrett at Saints at Buccaneers - Source: Getty

If the Buccaneers are unable to win their matchups in the secondary, the next best thing they can do is to pressure the quarterback. If the Buccaneers can't get better deep on their defense, they need to force more inaccurate throws. The Buccaneers brought back Shaquil Barrett out of retirement to help with the pass rush in 2024, an action that proved that the team agreed.

#4 - Wide Receiver

Chris Godwin at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints - Source: Imagn

Chris Godwin is expected to hit free agency and after missing most of the year, there is no guarantee he would return in the same form in 2025 if he ends up back in Tampa Bay. Adding a wide receiver to pair with newcomer Jalen McMillan behind Mike Evans makes sense to avoid any chance of erosion in the best room on the entire team.

#3 - Defensive Line

Vita Vea at Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Imagn

While the rushing defense was a strong suit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was not the best in the league. If the defense struggles to stop the pass like it did in 2024, there has to be no wiggle room on the run-stopping front as well.

#2 - Safety

Mike Edwards at New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Imagn

The passing defense has been the issue all season long. One of the fastest ways to fix it is by addressing the position specifically tasked with stopping deep passes. Whether it is through the NFL draft or free agency, a new name or two must be added to the mix at the top of the depth chart.

#1 - Cornerback

Jamel Dean at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at LA Chargers - Source: Imagn

The Buccaneers' Achilles Heel all season long was their inability to stop the pass. The team finished the regular season ranked 29th in passing yards per game, according to ESPN. A quick fix is to reload at cornerback. If receivers can't get open down the field, QBs won't throw to them, which would result in only good things for the defense as a whole.

Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum should have new competition on the roster by August.